Pipe handling apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for handling pipe, making up joints of pipe into an elongate string, inserting the string into a well and removing it from the well with a minimum of manual handling. Pipe joints are racked in units which are made up in a substantially horizontal position and flexed around curves into a well bore and out of a well bore, without the use of conventional hoisting equipment. A basket type circular receiving vessel or receptable is provided for coiling the string of pipe as it is removed from the well bore and for insertion into the well bore if the pipe string is not to be broken into separate lengths or sections. Means is provided for storing the pipe in either the horizontal racks or in the basket in a coil. The pipe handling equipment is in one form mounted on a conveyance such as a barge or the like.

United States Patent Sizer [451 July 18, 1972 [54] PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD [21] Appl. No.: 36,875

3,095,048 6/ I963 O'Neill et a] 1 75/85 3,404,741 10/1968 Gheorghe et al. ..175/8S 3,424,257 l/ 1969 Kottyarou et a] 175/85 Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Attorney-E. Hastings Ackley [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for handling pipe, making up joints of pipe into an elongate string, inserting the string into a well and removing it from the well with a minimum of manual handling. Pipe joints are racked in units which are made up in a substantially horizontal position and flexed around curves into a well bore and out of a well bore, without the use of Conventional hoisting equipment. A basket type circular receiving vessel or receptable is provided for coiling the string of pipe as it is removed from the well bore and for insertion into the well bore if the pipe string is not to be broken into separate lengths or sections. Means is provided for storing the pipe in either the horizontal racks or in the basket in a coil. The pipe handling equipment is in one form mounted on a conveyance such as a barge or the like.

22 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR PM; L w 6. 5/252 ATTORNEY Patented 7 July 18, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1972 3,677,345

4 Sheets-Sheet'.5

FIG. IO. V w

INVENTOR. PM up 5 5/25? ATTORNEY Patented July 18, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 45 FIG. I l 5 INVENTOR. /r/u p S 5/25? BY/IZWW PIPE HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD This invention relates generally to pipe handling apparatus and methods, and more particularly to means and a method of assembling, manipulating and disassembling pipe strings with a minimum of manual handling.

In the usual situation, where pipe is inserted into a well bore, it is customary to join sections of pipe together in the elongate well string and lower the pipe into the well by means of hoisting equipment at the surface, and then to remove the pipe from the well by such hoisting equipment and break the string into separate sections for stacking or storage. This is an expensive and time consuming method and apparatus, since a large amount of manual handling is required in most cases in making the pipe string up and breaking the pipe string down into sections and moving the pipe into and out of the racks or stacks.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus and method of handling pipe.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for storing pipe, assembling pipe sections into an elongate string, handling the string of assembled pipe sections as by inserting into and removing from a well bore, storing the pipe as an elongate continuous string in a coiled form between operations in the well, and disassembling the string of pipe into sections for storage or replacement or repair, and wherein the means for handling the pipe in accordance with the method is effectively operated and per formed with a minimum of manual handling of the pipe sections and with a minimum number of workmen.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the character described which is particularly adapted for use in connection with offshore well installations or locations.

A particular object of the invention is to provide means for assembling sections of pipe into an elongate string and disassembling sections of pipe from the elongate string into sections for storing and other handling is accomplished while the pipe is moving, to effect a substantial saving of time in such handling.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method of assembling and handling and storing pipe in which the string of assembled pipe may be stored in the assembled condition, whereby the string of assembled pipe may be removed from a well bore and reinstalled in place in the well without the necessity of disassembling and reassembling the sections of pipe, and so reduce the cost and handling time required in such operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for handling pipe of the character set forth which is readily portable from location to location and is particularly for marine type installations.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of pipe handling apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and used for moving the pipe from a rack into assembled condition and then into a well bore;

FIG. 2 is a top view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the pipe handling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pipe rack and pipe handling mechanism of FIG. 1 taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1',

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the means for moving the joints of pipe from the rack into the coupling device;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the propelling mechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the pipe coupling mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the pipe coupling mechanism of FIG. 6, showing the elements thereof in position for assembling sections of pipe into an elongate string;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the elements of the coupling device in position for disassembling the string of pipe into sections;

FIG. 9'is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing the pipe rack and coupling mechanism of FIG. I combined with a rotary basket type receptacle storage device for receiving the string of joined sections of pipe in a coiled form;

FIG. 10 is a reduced schematic plan view of the device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a schematic of the electric and hydraulic control system for the apparatus of FIG. I; and,

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a slightly modified form of the rotating receiving basket of FIG. 9 showing the same tilted at an angle to permit mounting on a barge or like vehicle with less lateral overhang.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates generally a frame structure or rack, shown in FIG. 1 to be supported on the ground or earth surface adjacent a well head 11 of a well. The rack is used for supporting a number of lengths or joints of tubular flow conductor or pipe 15 which are to be made up into a continuous string of flow conductor or tubing T for insertion into the well through the well head 11. The individual joints of pipe are moved in separate joints from the rack 10 by means of a spacer chain 12 into a guide trough 13, and each joint is then moved along the trough by a hydraulic pressure operated drive ram or feeder 14 to a hydraulic power operated coupling device or tong assembly 20 where the single joints are connected to the string of previously connected joints of pipe, and are then directed through a tubular guide 16 around an are 17 and upwardly to a point above the well where they are then directed downwardly toward the well head 11 by a reverse curve 18 in the tubular guide. From the tubular guide the string T of joints of pipe 15 are directed into a pipe moving or inserting and removing mechanism 30 of the type illustrated in US. Letters Pat. No. 3,215,203, issued Nov. 2, I965, to Phillip S. Sizer, by means of which the pipe is mechanically forced into or lifted out of the well bore by means of the hydraulic fluid pressure operated stationary gripping members 31 and the hydraulic fluid pressure operated movable gripping members 32 moved by the hydraulic fluid pressure actuated piston and cylinder operating mechanism 33 to move the string of pipe T in the manner set forth in the patent through a plurality of blow out preventers or strippers 34 and a valve 35 mounted on the upper end of the well head 11.

It will be seen, therefore, that the pipe moving assembly 30 may be used to grip the tubing string T and force the same downwardly into the well through the well head 11. The pipe moving assembly will also serve to move the tubing string T by pulling the sections of pipe through the tubular guide 16 under tension without the likelihood of causing deformation or kinking of the pipe, which might result from a pushing type movement. Also, the string of pipe T extending out of the open mouth 17a of the guide tube 16 to the coupling assembly 20 will, when the coupling assembly is engaged therewith, cause the coupling assembly to move along a track 21 formed by a pair of opposed channel members in which wheels 22 are disposed on a shaft 23 which supports the coupling assembly 20, as also shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, whereby the coupling assembly moves along the tracks 21 with the tubing string as it is drawn through the tubular guide 16 by the pipe movin mechanism 30.

The coupling device 20 includes a housing 25 mounted on the shafts 23 so as to be supported thereby and providing an enclosure and support for a stationary fluid pressure operated pipe engaging member or stationary tong 26 having a plurality of gripping members 264 carried thereby for engaging the pipe as it moves therethrough, and a movable fluid pressure operated rotatable power tubing tong or gn'pping member 27 having gripping members similar to the gripping members 26a 7 for gripping the pipe, and provided with a fluid pressure operated rotator motor mechanism 28 for rotating the rotata ble gripping member 27 to turn the pipe gripped thereby in the usual manner of power operated tubing tongs. Power operated tubing tongs such as those manufactured by Byron Jackson, Model R 5, by Foster Cathead Company, Model 74-92, or those shown in the US. Pat. No. 3,312,294, to Wilson, dated Apr. 4, 1967, may be used for gripping, holding and rotating the pipe.

The movable tong or gripping member 27 is slidably mounted on one or more supporting ways 29 carried by the housing 25 of the coupling assembly so as to be slidable toward and away from the stationary or fixed gripping member or back up tong 26, whereby the rotatable power tong 27 may move toward the back up tong 26 as the pipe is rotated to thread the pin end of the joint of pipe 15 into the box end of the previously connected joint at the end of the tubing string T in the coupling assembly. The rotatable power tong 27 is biased away from the stationary tong by springs or other suitable means 36 connected thereto and to the housing.

The return movement of the coupling assembly 20 from a position adjacent the receiving end of the tubular guide sleeve 16 toward the guide trough 13 is effected'by means of a carriage return 40 connected by a link arm 41 to the housing 25. The carriage return comprises a cylinder 42 in which a piston 43 is slidable, as is shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 7 and 11. As is shown in FIG. 11, the cylinder 42 is connected with a supply line 44 for pressure fluid and through a conduit 48 with a gas charged accumulator 45 by means of a four-way valve 46 connected in series with a three-way valve 47, whereby movement of the coupling assembly 20 to the left in FIGS. 1 and 2 moves the piston 43 to the left in the cylinder 42 and moves the pressure fluid in the cylinder into the accumulator to compress the gas therein to provide a force for returning the coupling assembly to the right to its position for receiving another joint of tubing for connecting the same to the tubing string T. The manner in which the carriage return is charged and the direction of movement thereof is controlled will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The gripping members 26a of the back up or stationary tong or gripping member 26 are moved into gripping engagement with the tubing string in response to fluid pressure from a supply conduit 50 controlled by a suitable three-way valve 51 which is operated by a solenoid 52 controlled by a sensing device 53, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The gripping members of the rotatable power tongs 27 are likewise moved into gripping engagement with the pin end of the joint of pipe to be made up to the tubing string T by fluid pressure controlled by the valve 51 and the sensing device S3, whereby the gripping members of both the back up tong 26 and the power tong 27 are moved into engagement with the tubing joints simultaneously.

The sensing device S3 is mounted on one end of a bell crank support 55 pivotally mounted between the tracks 21, and a sensing device S4 is mounted on the other end of the bell crank support and is swung upwardly toward the joint of tubing 15 by the bell crank support when the sensing device S3 engages the coupling 15b and is depressed thereby. Shortly after the engagement of the gripping members with the pipe, the sensing device S4 is engaged by the pin end 15a of the tubing joint 15 to energize the solenoid 56 of the valve 57 which controls flow of pressure fluid from a supply line 58 to the motor 28 to cause rotation of the power tong 27and the pipe joint 15 to make up the pin end 150 of the joint of pipe 15 in the box 15b at the rear end of tubing string T. The telescoping movement of the pin 15a of the tubing joint 15 as a result of the threading of the pin into the box 15b of the tubing string T will cause movement of the power tong 27 along the ways 29 against the biasing force of the biasing means 36, which may be a spring or a reversible gas charged accumulator.

A torque sensing device and switch S is connected in series circuit between the power supply 54 and the sensing devices S3 and S4, so that when the pipe joint has been made up in the box at the rear end of the tubing string to a predetermined desired degree, the torque sensing device and switch S5.will actuate to break the circuit from the power source to the sensing devices S3 and S4 and to the solenoid 52 of the valve 51 and the solenoid 56 of the valve 57 to stop operation of the rotator motor 28 and to release the gripping members of the stationary back up tong 26 and of the rotating or power tong 27, so that the pipe joint is then free to be moved with the tubing string T through the guide tube 16 by means of the pipe moving mechanism 30.

The joint of pipe which is dropped into the trough 13 from the rack 10 is moved toward the coupling device by the fluid pressure operated drive ram or feeder member 14, which includes a cylinder 60 in which a piston 61 is slidable. A push rod shaft 62 is connected at one end to the piston 61 and extends through a suitable packing gland at the end of the cylinder 60 and has its opposite end connected with an actuator arm or push arm 63 which extends upwardly through a longitudinal slot 64 in the bottom of the trough 13. The arm 63 is provided at its upper end with a conical centering and drive head 65 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 66 extending from the support or push arm 63 to the conical drive head. As shown in FIG. 5, the conical end of the drive head is adapted to enter the box 15b of the joint of tubing 15 to push the same along the trough 13 toward the coupling assembly 20. The head 65 is rotatable on the shaft so that the tubing may be made up while said head is in engagement therewith, if desired.

For moving the piston 61 to move the feeder push rod 62, fluid conduit lines 67 and 68 are connected toopposite ends of the cylinder 60 and conduit 67 at the left hand end of the cylinder 60 is connected to a gas charged pressure accumulator 69 which biases the piston 61 toward the right end of the cylinder 60 and biases the rod 62 and drive head 65 to the right hand end of the trough 13 beyond the location at which a joint of tubing 15 will enter the trough. Thus, the drive head '65 may engage the box 15b of the joint of pipe 15 when fluid pressure is applied through a supply line 70 and a three-way valve 71to the cylinder 60 on the right hand side of the piston 61 to move the piston to the left and draw the rod.62 and the drive head to the left to engage thedrive head with the coupling member. The control of actuating fluid pressure to the'cylinder 60 of the feeder mechanism is effected by the valve 71' which is actuated by means of a solenoid 72 energized in response to a signal generated by a sensing device S2 connected to the solenoid and disposed in the trough 13 adjacent the pin end of the rack and positioned to be engaged by the joint of tubing which is moved into the trough from the rack to energize the valve to admit fluid pressure into the cylinder 60 to move the piston 61 to the left and feed the tubing joint toward the coupling assembly 20. When the pressure is relieved from the cylinder 60 by movement of the valve 71 to drain position, the gas pressure charge in the accumulator 69 will move the piston 61 back to the right to position the drive head 65 in place to engage the next joint of pipe which is later deposited in the trough to feed the same toward the coupling assembly to add that joint tov the string of tubing being made up.

In the pipe rack 10, a plurality of inclined rails or supports extend from the rear to the front of the rack for supporting the joints of pipe 15 thereon and for permitting the joints to move by gravity toward the trough 13. The end of the lower rails or guides 80 extend to a point adjacent the side of the trough l3 nearest the rack, whereby the joint of pipe moving off the rails will be depositedon that inclined side of the trough and move downwardly in the trough to engage the opposite side thereof for guiding inovement toward the coupling device. The joints of pipe 15 are separated by means of a flexible chain 12 having a plurality of upstanding stop members 82 carried thereby and which move around a pulley or sprocket 83 with the chain as successive joints of pipe are moved out of the rack into the trough. The lower sprockets 83 are mounted on a shaft 84 which has a ratchet escapement mechanism 85 at its end opposite the coupling assembly for controlling movement of the chain and the stops 82, and thereby controlling the movement of the pipe joints off the rack into the trough.

The ratchet escapement 85 is actuated in response to a sensing device S1 disposed in position to be engaged by the push arm 63 when said push arm reaches the right hand extremity of its path of movement. When the push arm engages the sensing device S1 the ratchet escapement mechanism 85 is actuated to permit the shaft 84 to turn a distance equal to the distance between two of the adjacent stops 82 carried by the chain, and so permit a single joint of pipe to move off the rack into the trough.

As shown in FIG. 11, the ratchet escapement mechanism 85 is connected to a fluid pressure supply line 86 through a threeway valve 87 which is operated by a solenoid 88 energized by the sensing device S1. A pump P, driven by motor M through a clutch C supplies fluid pressure from a tank 90 to a fluid supply conduit 91 to which the supply lines 44, 50, 58, 70 and 86 are connected. The clutch C is actuated by means of sensing and switch members S6 and S7 which arenormally closed and are operable to move to open position to break the circuit from the power supply 54 to the clutch to release the clutch and disengage the motor from the pump and so stop operation of the system, in case such is desired, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The fluid pressure from the pump travels through the main supply line 91, and a branch leads to the valve 87 which controls operation of the ratchet escapement mechanism. A branch 70 leads to the three-way valve 71 which controls operation of the feeder ram mechanism 14. A branch 50 leads to the valve 51 which controls actuation of the gripping elements in the power tong 27 and the stationary back up tong 26, and a branch 58 leads to the valve 57 which controls operation of the rotator motor 28 which rotates the power tong or griping member 27 to rotate the pipe joints 15. The outlet side of the valve in each case leads to a sump, or to the tank 90 if desired, from which the fluid may be recirculated through the system. The sensing devices control actuation of the solenoids which operate the valves and the source of electric power 54 is shown to be a battery, but may be a supply of alternating or desired current, if desired. The power source is connected by means of a main conductor 93, and branches therefrom to the sensing devices S1, S2, S5, and through S5 to S3 and S4, and to the sensing devices S6 and S7, as shown in FIG. 11.

The housing 25 of the coupling assembly is provided at its opposite ends with funnel cone shaped guide members a on the right hand end and 25b on the left hand end for guiding pipe into the coupling assembly and into the gripping members therein. Obviously, when the pipe is moving from the rack toward the well head, the conical guide member 25a will guide the pin end of the joint of pipe 15 into position in the powered rotating tongs or gripping member 27. Similarly, conversely, when pipe is moving out of the well to the rack, the box end of the string or tubing T will be guided by means of the conical guide surface 25b into the stationary or fixed backup tong or gripping member 26 in position to be engaged by the gripping elements 260 therein.

While an accumulator has been described as used in connection with operation of the piston in the cylinders 60 and 42, it is obvious that a suitable spring system may be utilized to bias the pistons in the same direction as the gas pressure charge of the accumulator will move the piston.

The sensing member or device S3 is positioned at a point at which it will be engaged by the box 15b of the joint of pipe 15 last connected to the tubing string T as such box is moved through the coupling assembly toward the guide tube. This position is so located that the stationary gripping member or back up tong 26 will grip the end of the pipe near the box when the coupling assembly 20 is in its right hand position and before the box passes through the back up tong toward the guide tube. Simultaneously, the feeder mechanism 14 has pushed the next joint of pipe 15 toward the coupling device a distance sufficient that the pin 15a engages the box 15b so that the pin end of 15a of the joint of pipe 15 is at least disposed in a position in which the pin end 15a of the pipe extends through the power tong or gripping member 27. Thus, when the sensing member S3 is engaged by the box section 15b at the rear end of the tubing string T, the sensing member S3 energizes the solenoid 52 controlling the valve 51 which moves the valve to a position to feed fluid pressure to the gripping members of the power tong rotating device 27 and to the back up device 26 to move the gripping elements thereof into gripping engagement with the respective pipe joints therein. The sensing member S3 and the sensing member S4 being mounted on the bell crank support 55, the engagement of the sensing member S3 with the box 15b will pivot the sensing member S4 into position to be engaged by the pin end 15a of the pipe joint being forced toward the tubing string T to then energize the solenoid 56 of the valve 57' to cause fluid pressure to be delivered to the rotator motor 28 to rotate the power tong 27, and so to rotate the pipe joint 15 to thread the pin into the box at the rear end of the tubing string T. After this rotary action has taken place and the pin is made up in the box sufficiently tightly, the torque limit transducer sensing switch device S5 is actuated to break the circuit to the valve controlling the gripping members and to the valve controlling the rotator motor and so effect release of the gripping members and discontinuance of rotation of the power tong.

The pipe moving device 30 continues to move the pipe string T to move the coupling 15b past the sensing device S3 and so moves the sensing device S3 out of engagement with the coupling and permits the bell crank to move the sensing device S4 out of contact with the pipe, and therefore reestablish the circuitry in a condition for a subsequent operating cycle.

The sensing device S6 is located adjacent but spaced from the entrance or mouth 17a of the guide tube 16 a distance sufficient to be freed for movement to break the circuit to the clutch C should the end of the tubing string move past the sensing device S6 without an additional joint of pipe connected thereto. Thus, the sensing device S6 would break the circuit to the clutch C and disconnect the motor from the pump P to cut off further operation of the pump and the power fluid system, which would at the same time stop delivery of power fluid to the pipe moving device 30 and so terminate all operation of the system.

The sensing device S7 is mounted on the track 21 at a point at which it will be engaged either by the housing 25 of the coupling assembly or by the wheels 22 on which the coupling assembly moves on the track 21. When the sensing device 57 is engaged by the housing 25, or the wheels 22, as the case may be, it will be operated to disengage the clutch and disconnect the motor from the pump to terminate further operation of the entire system. The sensing devices S6 and S7 are thus safety devices for shutting down all operation in the event of the occurrence of an undesirable condition.

In FIG. 9 is shown a rack 10 which is mounted above a rotatable receptacle or cage mounted on a plurality of circumferentially spaced roller bearings 101 carried on a base 102. Guide roller sheaves 103 are mounted on anti-friction bearings on supports 107, also spaced circumferentially around the interior of the receptacle, the sheaves having flanges which engage above and below the inner edge 108 of the annular bottom 110 of the receptacle 100. The annular side wall 111 of the receptacle extends upwardly from the annular bottom 110, and an intumed retainer flange ll2'extends v inwardly from the upper end of the annular side wall 111 and provides means for retaining coiled pipe in the receptacle. The

roller sheave members 103 which engage the inner edge 108 of the inturned bottom flange of the container or receptacle maintain the receptacle centered on the base 102 and prevent lateral movement of the receptacle or basket with respect ot the central conduit or pipe having a swivel 121 at its upper end providing a connection by means of a goose neck 122 with the surface end of the string of tubing '1'. Mud or other well operating fluid may be driven or forced into or out of or circulated through the tubing string T by means of a pump driven by a suitable motor or power source 151 and having an intake 152 communicating with a tank 153 to which a return 154 supplies fluid, either by circulation from the well or from another source.

The basket receptacle 100 is rotatable freely about the center of the conductor 120, and when the string of tubing T is removed from the well through the well head 11 by means of the pipe moving device 30 and directed back toward the rack through the guide tube 16, as shown in FIG. 10, the surface end of the pipe may be directed downwardly through a space 160 between the rack 10 and the upper cover flange 112 of the basket 100, so that the pipe may enter the basket and be confined between the upper flange cover 112 and the lower flange bottom '110 of the basket and will be coiled against the annular side wall 111 of the basket in the well knownmanner, while connected in flow communication with the central conduit or pipe 120 and the pump 150. This permits circulation through the tubing string T at all times.

The rotatable basketor receptacle 100 is freely movable by the pipe as it is moved thereinto out of the well, but may also be driven by a suitable power unit, if desired, to assist in moving the pipe from the well into the basket. The pipe when so coiled in the basket remains in a continuous string of the desired length for use in the well and is readily available for reinsertion into the well by means of the pipe moving mechanism 30 when desired. Also,.if desired, at any point, the tubing string may be cut to remove a defective joint, if desired, and a joint replaced, as by welding. Also, the rotatable basket or receptacle provides for quick continuous movement of the pipe into and out of the well when desired without the necessity of breaking the string of pipe into separate joints. However, it is to be noted that, if desired the pipe string may be broken into joints and stacked on the rack 10 by reversing the movement of the pipe through the mechanism. In this event, the location of the sensing elements would be altered so that the rotating or power tong 27 may break the joint of pipe 15 out of the box 1512 of the surface end of the string of tubing while moving toward the right. Similarly, the carriage return 40 will be reversed in operation by changing the application of the pressure of the accumulator to the opposite side of the piston to provide for return of the carriage to a position near the guide tube 16 after it has moved toward the rack while disconnecting a joint of pipe from the tubing string. Likewise, the feeder mechanism 14 will be disconnected and rendered inoperative to remain in its rightmost position, and the ratchet mechanism will be reversed in operation and provided with a source of power (not shown) to move the stop members in a reverse direction to move the pipe joints up the inclined rails or carrier members on the rack.

The sensor S3 will be engaged by the box connected to the pin end of a joint being disconnected from the string of tubing T to cause the gripping elements to grip the pipe, and swing the bell crank to move the sensing element S4 into engagement with the tubing joint extending through the coupling device to energize the rotator motor in a reverse direction to cause the joint of pipe to be broken out and disconnected from the tubing string T. While the joint is being disconnected, movement of the coupling assembly to the right will move the body or wheels into engagement with a sensing device S8 connected in series circuit between the power source 54 and the sensors S3 and S4 to break the circuit thereto, and de-energize the rotating mechanism motor valve and disengage the gripping elements from the pipe to permit the pipe joint to be pushed along the trough 13 into a position to be returned to the rack 10. Also, the limit stop sensing member S7 will be disposed adjacent the right hand end of the limit of travel of the coupling assembly on the track 21 to be engaged by the housing of the coupling assembly or by the wheels 22 riding along the track 21 to disengage the clutch and disconnect the motor from the pump to terminate operation of the system until the disconnected joint of pipe has been moved out of the trough and the accumulator gas pressure acting on the reversed carriage return for the coupling assembly returns the coupling assembly to its position adjacent the mouth 17a of the guide tube for receiving another joint of pipe for disconnection from thestring of tubing in the manner just described.

In FIG. 12 is shown a basket type receptacle 200 in which the base 202 for supporting the bearings 201 and the roller sheaves 203 is mounted at an angle on a support or vehicle 204 by means of upright support members 205 and206 of different lengths, whereby the basket may be disposed on a narrower lateral support and does not overhang the support or vehicle 204. Obviously, the central conduit 200 will be longer and extend downwardly to the support or vehicle 204. The open upper end wall 212 is adapted to receive the pipe to be coiled against the annular side wall 211 and supported by the bottom wall 210 in the same manner as in the form of FIGS. 9 and 10. However, this arrangement of the basket conserves lateral space and provides storage space beneath the basket. In this installation the pipe rack 10 and the feed trough 13 and coupling assembly 20 may be disposed to feed the pipe beneath the elevated portion of the basket, if desired, or the lower side of the basket may be disposed substantially tangent to the coupling assembly and the pipe guiding feed trough.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a method and an apparatus and system have been disclosed which are substantially automatic in operation and require a minimum of attendance by operators or manual manipulation of the pipe or operating mechanism. The pipe moving device 30 coacts with the pipe handling mechanism at the rack, including the coupling mechanism, and ispreferably supplied with power from the same source of fluid pressure as the pipe coupling mechanism and other equipment at the rack, and is subject to the same safety controls in the event of an undesirable condition arising. Also, the sensing mechanisms controlling operation of the system may obviously be disposed at other positions or. consist of other structures than those described without changing the results obtained in use of the system and method.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent 1. Apparatus for handling pipe including: storage means for a plurality of separate pipe joints; means for delivering pipe joints individually from the storage means; guide means for receiving and guiding the joints of pipe for longitudinal movement therethrough; means for moving an individual joint of pipe in said guide means to engagement with the end of a previously delivered joint moved through said guide means; coupling means for joining said joint of pipe from the guide means to a string by rotating said joint of pipe to thread the same to the previously assembled string; means for moving said assembled string of pipe while the joint is being coupled to the string; and a rotatable basket-like storage container for receiving the assembled pipe string therein, said pipe string being deposited in coiled form as said pipe string is moved into said rotatable storage container, said rotatable storage container being rotatable by said pipe string as said pipe string is moved thereinto.

2. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein: said means for coupling said joint of pipe to the assembled string of pipe and said moving means are reversible to uncouple the individual joints from said string of pipe while said string of pipe is being moved by the reversed moving means.

3. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein: a supplemental rotatable basket-like storage container is provided adjacent the said first storage container for receiving the assembled string of pipe in a coiled form for storage therein.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage means includes: means for delivering individual joints of pipe one at a time to said guide means correctly aligned to be received in said guide means.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for moving said pipe joint longitudinally through said guide means includes: fluid pressure operable means for moving said means for moving said joint of pipe into engagement with the previous joint already made up in said string of pipe.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes: first and second gripping means for gripping the pipe and means for rotating one of said first and second gripping means relative to the other of said first and second gripping means about their common longitudinal axes for joining said one pipe joint to the previously delivered pipe joint.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said coupling means includes: sensing means for detecting the presence of the enlarged box end connection of the pipe and means for energizing said first and second gripping means to grip the pipe string on opposite sides of said box whereby subsequent rotation of one of said gripping means relative to the other of said gripping means produces the connection to attach the newly delivered joint of pipe to said previously delivered joint of said pipe string.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 including: sensing means operatively associated with said first and second gripping means and with said means for energizing said rotating means operable to automatically stop rotation of the pipe and to release said gripping means when the pipe connection has been produced.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said supplemental basket-like storage means comprises a receptacle body having an annular upright sidewall with upper and lower inwardly extending annular flanges at the upper and lower ends of said side wall, respectively, and means for supporting said receptacle body for free rotational movement. a

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said receptacle body is provided with swivel flow conductor means connectable to the upper end of said pipe string to permit the circulation of fluids through said pipe string at all times.

11. The device of claim 10 including: deck means for supporting said storage means; and means supporting said deck means in position over said rotatable basket, said deck support means being spaced from said basket.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein said basket is disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane whereby it occupies less space and provides storage space therebeneath.

13. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 including first stationary gripping means in said coupling means for gripping said string of coupled joints of pipe to prevent rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis; second gripping means on said coupling means for gripping said individual pipe joint to be joined to said string; means for rotating said second gripping means to rotate said individual joint of pipe to couple said joint to said string; first sensing means sensing the presence of said string of pipe in said coupling means and activating said first gripping means and said second gripping means; second sensing means sensing the presence of said individual joint of pipe in said coupling means and activating said rotating means; and third sensing means sensing the completion of the coupling of said individual joint to said string and deactivating both said gripping means and said rotating means.

14. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 13 including: fourth sensing means for sensing movement of the end of said string of coupled joints of pipe as said string is moved out of said coupling means to stop movement of said string of pipe when said end of said string passes said fourth sensing means without another joint coupled thereto.

15. A pipe handling system for inserting pipe into and removing pipe from a well and including: fluid pressure operated pipe gripping and moving means connected with the well at the surface for moving pipe into and out of said well; means for guiding a string of coupled sections of pipe to said pipe gripping and moving means; horizontally disposed coupling means for joining sections of pipe together in an elongate string of pipe for insertion into said well; means for alignment to said coupling means; means for moving said separate sections of pipe in said receiving and guide means to direct said separate sections to be connected to the end of the string of joined sections of pipe being moved into the well; storage rack means for supporting a plurality of separate sections of pipe in position to be delivered individually to said receiving and guide means; and means for moving an individual separate section of pipe from said rack storage means into said receiving and guide means; said coupling means for joining said section of pipe with said string being operable to effect such joining while said string of connected sections is being moved toward the well by said pipe gripping and moving means, said guide means being curved for guiding said string of joined sections from a horizontal position along said coupling means into a vertical position for movement into the well by said gripping and moving means.

16. A system of the character set forth in claim 15 including: first sensing means for sensing the presence of said separate section of pipe in said receiving and guide means and activating said means for moving said section of pipe toward said coupling means; and second sensing means on said coupling means for sensing the movement of the string of joined sections of pipe through said coupling means and the movement of said separate sections of pipe into said coupling means to activate said coupling means to join said separate section of pipe to said string of joined sections of pipe.

17. A system of the character set forth in claim 16 including: first stationary gripping means on said coupling means operable to hold said string of joined sections of pipe against rotation about its longitudinal axis; second gripping means on said coupling means for gripping said separate section of pipe; means for rotating said second gripping means to rotate said section of pipe to connect said section to said string; said second sensing means activating said rotating means for rotating said second gripping means to rotate said separate section of pipe to couple said section of pipe to said string of joined sections of pipe; and sensing means on said coupling means sensing the force applied by said rotating gripping means to said separate section of being coupled with said string to deactivate said rotating means and said gripping means to free said coupled joint and string for movement through said coupling means.

18. A method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position horizontally to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; curvedly guiding the pipe string from a horizontal position to a vertical position for entering said well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into the well.

19. The method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position to be coupled-with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; moving said string of pipe automatically into a well; automatically removing said string of pipe from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically into a rotatable receptacle; coiling said string of pipe in said receptacle and rotating said receptacle while said pipe is being moved into said receptacle to store the pipe in said receptacle in a coiled condition; removing said pipe automatically from said receptacle; guiding said string of pipe to said well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into said well.

20. The method of claim 19 including the additional steps of again removing said string of pipe automatically from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically toward said rack; breaking said string of pipe automatically into individual receiving and guiding separate sections of pipe in correct axial sections; and storing said individual sections in said rack.

21. The method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically 'to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; moving said string of pipe automatically into a well; removing said string of pipe automatically from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically into a rotatable receptacle; coiling said string of pipe in said receptacle and rotating said receptacle while said pipe is being moved into said receptacle to store the pipe in said receptacle in coiled condition; moving said receptacle to another well; removing said string of pipe automatically from said receptacle; guiding said string of pipe to said another well;

and moving said string of pipe automatically into said another well.

22. The method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints .of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; guiding the moving string of pipe to a well; moving said string of pipe automatically into the well; removing said string of pipe automatically from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically into a rotatable receptacle; coiling said string of pipe in said receptacle and rotating said receptacle while said pipe is being moved into said receptacle to store the pipe-in said receptacle in coiled condition; removing said string of pipe automatically from said receptacle; guiding said string of pipe to another well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into said another well. 

1. Apparatus for handling pipe including: storage means for a plurality of separate pipe joints; means for delivering pipe joints individually from the storage means; guide means for receiving and guiding the joints of pipe for longitudinal movement therethrough; means for moving an individual joint of pipe in said guide means to engagement with the end of a previously delivered joint moved through said guide means; coupling means for joining said joint of pipe from the guide means to a string by rotating said joint of pipe to thread the same to the previously assembled string; means for moving said assembled string of pipe while the joint is being coupled to the string; and a rotatable basket-like storage container for receiving the assembled pipe string therein, said pipe string being deposited in coiled form as said pipe string is moved into said rotatable storage container, said rotatable storage container being rotatable by said pipe string as said pipe string is moved thereinto.
 2. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein: said means for coupling said joint of pipe to the assembled string of pipe and said moving means are reversible to uncouple the individual joints from said string of pipe while said string of pipe is being moved by the reversed moving means.
 3. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 wherein: a supplemental rotatable basket-like storage container is provided adjacent the said first storage container for receiving the assembled string of pipe in a coiled form for storage therein.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage means includes: means for delivering individual joints of pipe one at a time to said guide means correctly aligned to be received in said guide means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for moving said pipe joint longitudinally through said guide means includes: fluid pressure operable means for moving said means for moving said joint of pipe into engagement with the previous joint already made up in saId string of pipe.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes: first and second gripping means for gripping the pipe and means for rotating one of said first and second gripping means relative to the other of said first and second gripping means about their common longitudinal axes for joining said one pipe joint to the previously delivered pipe joint.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said coupling means includes: sensing means for detecting the presence of the enlarged box end connection of the pipe and means for energizing said first and second gripping means to grip the pipe string on opposite sides of said box whereby subsequent rotation of one of said gripping means relative to the other of said gripping means produces the connection to attach the newly delivered joint of pipe to said previously delivered joint of said pipe string.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 including: sensing means operatively associated with said first and second gripping means and with said means for energizing said rotating means operable to automatically stop rotation of the pipe and to release said gripping means when the pipe connection has been produced.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said supplemental basket-like storage means comprises a receptacle body having an annular upright sidewall with upper and lower inwardly extending annular flanges at the upper and lower ends of said side wall, respectively, and means for supporting said receptacle body for free rotational movement.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said receptacle body is provided with swivel flow conductor means connectable to the upper end of said pipe string to permit the circulation of fluids through said pipe string at all times.
 11. The device of claim 10 including: deck means for supporting said storage means; and means supporting said deck means in position over said rotatable basket, said deck support means being spaced from said basket.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein said basket is disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane whereby it occupies less space and provides storage space therebeneath.
 13. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 including first stationary gripping means in said coupling means for gripping said string of coupled joints of pipe to prevent rotation thereof about its longitudinal axis; second gripping means on said coupling means for gripping said individual pipe joint to be joined to said string; means for rotating said second gripping means to rotate said individual joint of pipe to couple said joint to said string; first sensing means sensing the presence of said string of pipe in said coupling means and activating said first gripping means and said second gripping means; second sensing means sensing the presence of said individual joint of pipe in said coupling means and activating said rotating means; and third sensing means sensing the completion of the coupling of said individual joint to said string and deactivating both said gripping means and said rotating means.
 14. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 13 including: fourth sensing means for sensing movement of the end of said string of coupled joints of pipe as said string is moved out of said coupling means to stop movement of said string of pipe when said end of said string passes said fourth sensing means without another joint coupled thereto.
 15. A pipe handling system for inserting pipe into and removing pipe from a well and including: fluid pressure operated pipe gripping and moving means connected with the well at the surface for moving pipe into and out of said well; means for guiding a string of coupled sections of pipe to said pipe gripping and moving means; horizontally disposed coupling means for joining sections of pipe together in an elongate string of pipe for insertion into said well; means for receiving and guiding separate sections of pipe in correct axial alignment to said coupling means; means for moving said separate sections of pipe in said receiving and guide means to direct said separate sections to be connected to the end of the string of joined sections of pipe being moved into the well; storage rack means for supporting a plurality of separate sections of pipe in position to be delivered individually to said receiving and guide means; and means for moving an individual separate section of pipe from said rack storage means into said receiving and guide means; said coupling means for joining said section of pipe with said string being operable to effect such joining while said string of connected sections is being moved toward the well by said pipe gripping and moving means, said guide means being curved for guiding said string of joined sections from a horizontal position along said coupling means into a vertical position for movement into the well by said gripping and moving means.
 16. A system of the character set forth in claim 15 including: first sensing means for sensing the presence of said separate section of pipe in said receiving and guide means and activating said means for moving said section of pipe toward said coupling means; and second sensing means on said coupling means for sensing the movement of the string of joined sections of pipe through said coupling means and the movement of said separate sections of pipe into said coupling means to activate said coupling means to join said separate section of pipe to said string of joined sections of pipe.
 17. A system of the character set forth in claim 16 including: first stationary gripping means on said coupling means operable to hold said string of joined sections of pipe against rotation about its longitudinal axis; second gripping means on said coupling means for gripping said separate section of pipe; means for rotating said second gripping means to rotate said section of pipe to connect said section to said string; said second sensing means activating said rotating means for rotating said second gripping means to rotate said separate section of pipe to couple said section of pipe to said string of joined sections of pipe; and sensing means on said coupling means sensing the force applied by said rotating gripping means to said separate section of being coupled with said string to deactivate said rotating means and said gripping means to free said coupled joint and string for movement through said coupling means.
 18. A method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position horizontally to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; curvedly guiding the pipe string from a horizontal position to a vertical position for entering said well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into the well.
 19. The method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; moving said string of pipe automatically into a well; automatically removing said string of pipe from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically into a rotatable receptacle; coiling said string of pipe in said receptacle and rotating said receptacle while said pipe is being moved into said receptacle to store the pipe in said receptacle in a coiled condition; removing said pipe automatically from said receptacle; guiding said string of pipe to said well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into said well.
 20. The method of claim 19 including the additional steps of again removing said string of pipe automatically from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically toward said rack; breaking said string of pipe automatically into individual sections; and storing said individual sections in said rack.
 21. The method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; moving said string of pipe automatically into a well; removing said string of pipe automatically from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically into a rotatable receptacle; coiling said string of pipe in said receptacle and rotating said receptacle while said pipe is being moved into said receptacle to store the pipe in said receptacle in coiled condition; moving said receptacle to another well; removing said string of pipe automatically from said receptacle; guiding said string of pipe to said another well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into said another well.
 22. The method of handling pipe for moving the same into and out of a well comprising: racking individual joints of pipe in a storage rack; moving said individual joints of pipe automatically one at a time from said rack into position to be coupled with a previously moved joint into a string; coupling said last moved joint of pipe automatically to the previously moved joint into a string of coupled joints; guiding the moving string of pipe to a well; moving said string of pipe automatically into the well; removing said string of pipe automatically from said well; moving said string of pipe automatically into a rotatable receptacle; coiling said string of pipe in said receptacle and rotating said receptacle while said pipe is being moved into said receptacle to store the pipe in said receptacle in coiled condition; removing said string of pipe automatically from said receptacle; guiding said string of pipe to another well; and moving said string of pipe automatically into said another well. 